What: On January 6, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the final risk evaluations for:
- Butyl Benzyl Phthalate (BBP).
- Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP).
- Dicyclohexyl Phthalate (DCHP).
- Diethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP).
- Diisobutyl Phthalate (DIBP).
Why: These chemicals, known as phthalates, are used as plasticizers in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and non-PVC plastics, as well as in adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, rubbers, and other applications.
Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the purpose of a risk evaluation is to determine whether a chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health or the environment.
In each of the final risk evaluations, EPA has determined that these chemicals present an unreasonable risk of injury to human health driven under certain conditions of use.
Action: EPA will now move forward with TSCA risk management rulemakings for each of the chemicals. Thess rulemakings will consider:
- The chemicals’ effects on health and the environment.
- The magnitude of exposure to the chemicals of human beings and the environment.
- The chemicals’ benefits for various uses.
- The reasonably ascertainable economic consequences of each of the risk management rules.
If you are a small entity that uses one of these plasticizers and think you could be impacted by EPA’s upcoming risk management rulemakings, please reach out to the Office of Advocacy.
FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE:
Risk Evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Notice of Availability
CONTACT:
Nick Goldstein
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